SeaTac lawmakers may take further action Feb. 22 on the city's plan to consolidate five departments and divisions into one community and economic department.
The consolidation is designed to improve the city's permitting process for builders.
Council members approved Feb. 8 Cindy Baker's contract as the first director of the new merged department. They also voted to eliminate the planning director position.
Baker was serving as the interim planning director before she was selected to head the new department.
But Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher asked for at least two more weeks to study the full consolidation plan unveiled by Interim City Manager Todd Cutts.
Cutts asked for three new division manager positions. While there would be no net gain of positions in the transition, salaries for the three managers would cost the city an additional $31, 415 per year, Cutts estimated.
The fiscal impact figure is based on paying the five managers at the maximum pay rates.
"We don't have to hire at the maximum but I would guess that someone wouldn't come over from another city and take a pay cut, "Human Resources director Anh Hoang said.
However, Cutts said some of the positions wouldn't be staffed until, at least, April 1, saving the city $46,000.
Responded Fisher, "I thought there would be more consolidation. We are going to have high paid managers supervising fewer people.
"There are some things about this that I am nervous about."
The lawmakers also approved a $5,000 contribution to the Northwest Symphony Orchestra from the hotel/motel tax fund.
The city's hotel/motel advisory committee had recommended against using the fund for the contribution. Hotel representatives reported they did not receive requests from hotel guests for symphony tickets.
They felt the expense did not contribute to getting "heads into beds," according to an advisory board member.
But Fisher said many SeaTac residents cannot afford to go to downtown Seattle for a symphony concert. Northwest Symphony plays at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.
Councilman Ralph Shape noted the symphony had already made plans based on receiving the contribution.
"It is important to the citizens and important for the council to show its support for the symphony," Shape concluded.